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Monday, January 30, 2017

The Village of Bellevue provides the service of Christmas Tree pick up during the month of January. While our goal is to perform this early in the week during January; weather and other work sometimes delay the pick up. One deadline is for certain. The Village will not pick up trees placed at the curb after February 3.

The office has been getting calls regarding why the tree has not been picked up. Sometimes it is because of the weather or reprioritized work. Other times our staff find that the trees still have lights on them, have wires shaping the branches, are attached to wood stand, in plastic bags, or are flocked.

Flocked trees contain plastics and other chemicals that are harmful to the environment. The trees that are picked up at the curb are taken to the compost site where they are ground into mulch for reuse.

Many residents in Bellevue use this mulch around their landscaping and gardening. The Village also uses this material in their parks where children often play.

Friday, January 27, 2017

Crooks use clever schemes to defraud millions of people every year. They often combine new technology with old tricks to get people to send money or give out personal information. Here are some practical tips to help you stay a step ahead, from the State of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection:

Spot Imposters. Scammers often pretend to be someone you trust, like a government official, a family member, a charity, or a company you do business with. Don’t send money or give out personal information in response to an unexpected request; whether it comes as a text, a phone call, or an email.

Do online searches. Type a company or product name into your favorite search engine with words like “review,” “complaint” or “scam,” or search for a phrase that describes your situation, like “IRS call.” You can even search phone numbers to see if other people have reported them as scams.

Do not believe caller ID. Scammers use technology to fake or “spoof” caller ID information, so the name and number you see are not always real. If someone calls asking for money or personal information, hang up. If you think the caller might be telling the truth, call back to a number you know is genuine. A good way is to use the number printed on a bill or statement.

Do not pay upfront for a promise. Someone might ask you to pay in advance for things like debt relief, credit and loan offers, mortgage assistance or a job. They might even say you’ve won a prize, but first you have to pay taxes or fees. If you do, they will probably take the money and disappear.

Consider how you pay. Credit cards have significant fraud protection built in, but some payment methods do not. Wiring money through services like Western Union or MoneyGram is risky business because it’s impossible to get your money back. That is also true with reloadable cards like MoneyPak, Reloadit or Vanilla. Government offices and honest companies will not require you to use these types of payment methods. They will also not ask you to pay in ITunes or Amazon gift cards.

Talk to someone. Before you give up money or personal information, talk to someone you trust. Con artists want you to make decisions in a hurry. They might even threaten you. Slow down, check out the story, do an online search, consult an expert, or talk to a friend or family member. Do not give in to high-pressure sales tactics.

Hang up on robocalls. If you answer the phone and hear a recorded sales pitch, hang up and report it to the Bureau of Consumer Protection. These calls are illegal, and often the products being sold are bogus. Don’t press 1 or any other number to be taken off the call list. That could lead to more calls.

Be skeptical about free trial offers. Some companies use free trial offers to sign you up for products and bill you every month until you cancel. Before you agree to a free trial, research the company and read the cancellation policy. Always review your monthly credit card statements for charges you do not recognize.

Do not deposit a check and then wire money back. By law, banks must make funds from deposited checks available within days, but uncovering a fake check can take weeks. If a check you deposit turns out to be fake, you are responsible for repaying the bank all of the money and any fees associated with the transaction. If a deal is too good to be true, it generally is.

Earlier this month,
the Village Board allocated funds allowing the Fire Department to replace the
aging SCBA air packs, facepieces, air bottles and Rapid Intervention Team
bags. The Fire Department purchased the
following items:

·28 - Scott X3 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
(SCBA)

·56 - 45 psi, 45-minute air bottles

·14 - Scott Facepieces

·3 - Rapid Intervention Team Bags

·3 - 45 psi, 60-minute air bottles

·28 - Epic 3 Voice Amplifiers

·3 - Scott Sight (Facepiece mounted Thermal
Imaging Camera)

The Scott SCBAs that were purchased meet the current 2013
NFPA standards, contain the newest safety features, have improved enhancements
for comfort and weight distribution, have a streamline design for reduced
profile and contain updated technology.
The SCBAs also have “buddy lights” which allow other fire fighters to
visually see the amount of air that is left in the SCBA through a series of
different colored flashing lights. It is
important for fire fighters to be able to easily identify the amount of air
that the crew members have left especially in a dark environment.

The Scott Sight is a hands free thermal imaging camera
(TIC) that is mounted on the facepiece, allowing the fire fighter to scan an area to assist in locating the
fire or to assist in locating any patients that may need assistance. Since the thermal imagining camera is hands
free, this allows the fire fighter to have both hands available to carry a tool
or any other item the fire fighter may need.

Along with the new SCBAs and the TIC, the voice
amplifiers will allow the fire fighters to communicate more effectively in
hazardous conditions. With the new air
bottles, the fire fighters will have 45 minutes of air to breath compared to
the old air bottles which had 30 minutes of air, allowing them to remain in
hazardous conditions for a longer period of time.

The fire fighters are very excited and thankful to have the
new equipment. With this equipment, the
fire fighters will be able to work more effectively in a hazardous environment,
while still being safe.

Friday, January 20, 2017

Have
you checked your smoke alarms lately? It is recommended that you change the
batteries in your smoke detectors twice a year and that your smoke detectors
should be replaced after 10 years. Do you have enough smoke detectors in your
home? Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping
area, and on every level of the home. The Bellevue Fire Department would like
to help you keep your home fire safe! We are offering a limited number of smoke
detectors free of charge to those who are in need of them. If you need
assistance in checking batteries, checking detector manufacture dates, or
installation of working smoke detectors, we would be happy to help! This is one
of the non-emergency services that your Fire Department offers. If you would
like to learn more about the smoke detector initiative, feel you need a
detector installed, or would like to schedule an appointment to have your smoke
detectors inspected please call 920-884-1077 ext. 303.Below you can find a
checklist to help ensure your smoke detectors are in working order.

Does your home have at least one smoke alarm in
each bedroom, near all sleeping areas, and on every level of the home,
including the basement?____ Yes _____ No

Is everyone in your home familiar with the sound
of the smoke alarms?____ Yes _____ No

Do you test your smoke alarms each month?____ Yes _____ No

Have you tested the batteries in your smoke
alarms this month?____ Yes _____ No

Is your smoke detector older than 10 years?____ Yes _____ No

Have you replaced the batteries in your smoke
detectors within the past 6 months?____ Yes _____ No

Again, if you have any questions please feel free to call
the Fire Department at 920-884-1077.
The station is staffed Monday thru
Friday 7:00am-5:00pm and Saturday and Sunday 7:00am-3:00pm. Thank you and
make it a safe day!

Thursday, January 19, 2017

The Spring Primary Election will be held on February 21, 2017. The only office on the ballot for this election will be the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The following candidate’s names will appear on the ballot:

State Superintendent of Public Instruction (Vote for One)

Tony Evers

Lowell E. Holtz

John Humphries

If you are unable to vote at the polls on Election Day, absentee ballots will be available at the Village Office, 2828 Allouez Avenue, on February 6, 2017.

For more information, please contact the Village Clerk at 468-5225 or visit My Vote Wisconsin.

Friday, January 13, 2017

Wisconsin winters have been becoming increasingly challenging to deal with regarding rapidly changing weather. We have seen an increase in the number of weather events involving snow and rain followed by rapidly freezing temperatures. The results are a mess, literally.

Bellevue has trained staff knowledgeable in the science of salt application and how to effectively apply it. The applicators have been calibrated with settings to apply the right amount of salt to melt the ice and remove it before refreeze. The road temperature is a significant factor in how much and how fast ice melts, but also the wind, amount of sun, amount of traffic, the length of time it is in active solution, the type of road surface, and the amount of shade.

Generally, salt needs some liquid to activate and break the ice bonds. The Village sprays a brine solution to the salt as it is being spread to jump start the melting process. This pre-wetting of the salt also prevents salt from bouncing to the curb and allows the salt to stay in the travel lanes where it can do the most benefit.

There is a point where road temperatures and the amount of ice accumulations make it ineffective to
apply. Usually this temperature is around 15 degrees. Compared to 30 degree pavement temperatures, you need 7-8 times more salt to melt the same amount of ice at 15 degree pavement temperatures. Often times staff is looking at the extended forecast to determine if it makes sense to apply the salt.

Placing abrasives on the road is not always the end all solution to low temperatures. When applied, the Village will typically place the material near the approach to intersections, curves, and hills. The problem with using abrasives is that they sometimes melt into the ice, scatter to the curb with moving traffic, require more frequent applications, and are environmentally more hazardous than salt applications.

Wisconsin winter weather will result in some roads not having bare pavement for quite a while. Bellevue will continue efforts to provide safe roads while being environmentally. Please be aware that it may take more time to accomplish this goal, but it is always our goal to provide this service.

Thursday, January 12, 2017

10 Below Freezer Meals is hosing a Smart Choice Menu Class on Friday, January 20th from 6:30-9:00pm at the Bellevue Community Center (1811 Allouez Avenue). 10 Below Freezer Meal classes provide you with an easy shopping list and they provide the rest at the class. The Smart Choice Menu is designed with the Weight Watcher Smart Points™ in mind. The class is only $45 and all containers, labels seasoning and oils are provided. Dishes to be prepared are: Chunky Joe Burritos, Mediterranean Shrimp (or chicken), Vegetarian Chili, Crock Pot Mandarin Beef, Savory Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Rice, Crustless Vegetable Quiche, and Carrot Mash.

Friday, January 6, 2017

The Village of Bellevue Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department is inviting local area businesses to become program sponsors for 2017. Without the support and dedication of our business community, the Village would not be able to provide the quality parks and recreational programs our citizens enjoy each year.

Through sponsorships, businesses can gain valuable exposure which helps achieve their marketing goals. Additionally, the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department will work with your company to develop a marketing package to include advertising and direct mail opportunities within publications, on our website, at events, and within Village-owned park facilities.

The Department currently offers the following sponsor opportunities:

Corporate Sponsor Programs:

•Sponsorship within the Leisure Services Department Program Catalog
•Sponsorship through the athletic facility Sponsor Banner Program
•Sponsorship for a Community Special Event or Program
•Sponsorship through the Adopt-A-Park Program

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Winter storms can happen almost anywhere. They can cause us problems. Know what to do before, during and after a storm. This will help keep you and your family safe from a winter fire.

Test all smoke alarms. Do this at least once a month. This way you will know they are working. Install carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Test the alarms.

Plan two ways out of the home in case of an emergency. Clear driveway and front walk of ice and snow. This will provide easy access to your home.

Make sure your house number can be seen from the street. If you need help, firefighters will be able to find you.

Be ready in case the power goes out. Have flashlights on hand. Also have battery-powered lighting and fresh batteries. Never use candles.

Stay aware of winter weather. Listen to the television or radio for updates. Watch for bulletins online.

Check on neighbors. Check on others who may need help.

Generators should be used outdoors. Keep them away from windows and doors. Do not run a generator inside your garage, even if the door is open.

Stay away from downed wires. Report any downed wires to authorities.

Be ready if the heat stops working. Use extra layers of clothes and blankets to stay warm. If you use an emergency heat source, keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away.

Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room. Turn them off when you go to bed.

Important Reminder
There are more home fires in winter than in any other season. Half of all home heating fires happen in December, January and February. As you stay cozy and warm this winter season, be fire smart!